So now in June (in its second year), the Baddeck Duathlon is a great event hosted in a great place. Big Baddeck offers a 22 km paved loop for the bike portion and a tough gravel run for the run portion. The loop is open to cars, but I saw maybe 3 or 4 the whole race.
This year we had a few less people than the first year, but we gained some even tougher competitors up front. I was looking around and instantly figured I would be racing for 5th place, maybe 6th depending on conditions. And speaking of conditions, what could have been a rain soaked crazy fest, turned into a perfect temperature, low wind, great day to race.
So after all the bike setup, chats and race briefing, we lined up ready to race. Last year I won the first run portion with a rather fast 18:33 5K. I consider it fast because the first 1.2 km is straight uphill. While I hoped to get the fastest first run again, with Corey there, it seemed unlikely. Instead of killing myself, I decided to play things safe and after the start tucked in behind Andreas, who seems to be of a similar speed to me.
We ran up the hill and I felt okay as Corey pulled away. We were in second and third place and I was having no issues keeping up. In fact when there were little dips I had to slow a little bit to stay with Andreas. At the turn around we were still together, having dropped fourth through sixth. Playing my cards, I figured I had a good ability to pull away into second by myself on the final downhill of this run and when we hit the crest of the hill I started off. By the timing mat I had a clear lead over third by 7 seconds. I finished with a 19:13 this time. Looking at last years race, the first run this year was a little long and the first run last year was a little short. My pace was quite similar in both races. I would also say this year's pace might be a little slower due to the road being freshly graded and therefore covered in loose gravel and some areas of soft sand.
I grabbed my bike and headed out quickly (with the second fastest T1). I knew I wouldn't be able to hold off those guys behind me for too long, but I wanted to get a bit into the ride before being overwhelmed.
At about 5km Andreas passed me, then at around 7 km Allan did. I didn't let up and pushed hard, though the first section is all up hill and I waited for the next couple of riders to scream past. But all of a sudden I was approaching the 10km mark (which was also a stop and turn). I dared a look back and maybe 1/2 km behind me was 5th place. Knowing how far ahead I was on the run, I figured this pass was happening soon. But id didn't. I really started to push through the kilometers, knowing that the longer I could hold out, the better my chance of using the second run to repass. But the pass from (what turned out to be Daniel) never came. I rode into T2 in 40:18, just hitting thew 1 hour mark. This was slightly faster then last year but darn close. 32.1 km / hr average pace and a nice 60.1 km/hr top speed.
I wasted no time in T2, for fear that Daniel (now right behind me) had been saving his legs for the final 2.5km run. A 30 second T2 (second fastest of the day) meant I was out and running fast. But man did my legs feel like hell.
Straight to that big hill climb. The second run was basically, up then right back down. I pushed hard last year to catch and pass Kevin at this point. I pushed hard this year to keep my spot. I knew second and third were too far up the road. At the top I hit the turn around (whew) and knew all my downhill run fast experience was going to be needed. I finally saw Daniel in 5th at this point and I had a couple 100 meters on him. I felt secure but didn't let up.
Soon the finish line loomed, I pushed through and crossed in almost exactly the same time as last year, 1:10. My final run was done in 9:59, 1 second faster than last year. I finished 4th overall, last year was 3rd. But what a great group of guys to fight with. That was all I had in me that day, and I feel good about it. Also I feel like I am finally recovering from the Bluenose Half marathon, which has left me feeling dead.
I have a trail race coming up, then a rest. Back to coaching some great people as well.
I have a trail race coming up, then a rest. Back to coaching some great people as well.
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